S/PV.7163 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of the Côte d’Ivoire to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2014/303, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by France, Nigeria, Rwanda and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2153 (2014). I now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

The United States voted in favour of resolution 2153 (2014) because we fully support the renewal of these sanctions and the mandate of the United Nations Group of Experts, both of which constitute an important part of the Council’s effort to support peace and stability in Côte d’Ivoire. We welcome the progress Côte d’Ivoire has made under the leadership of President Ouattara and his Government. We also applaud the Ivorian Government’s achievement of the Kimberley Process Certain Scheme’s minimum requirements, thereby 2/3 provisions have been significantly lightened. Indeed, it is especially important to note that the Security Council expresses its satisfaction in the resolution over the achievement by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire of considerable progress at all levels, particularly in terms of the stabilization of the security situation, the political dialogue and national reconciliation, and economic recovery. More specifically, with regard to diamonds produced in Côte d’Ivoire, the resolution recognizes that Côte d’Ivoire has fully met the minimum requirements of the Kimberley Process, to the point where it has been possible to end the embargo. Moreover, the resolution also reiterates the urgent need for the Government of Côte d’Ivoire to train and equip its security forces, especially the police and gendarmerie, with arms and ammunition adequate to the implementation of their security and law enforcement missions. That is why my delegation welcomes and offers the Security Council the gratitude of the Government and people of Côte d’Ivoire for the adoption of resolution 2153 14-31410